Kim Kerker, Author at Pro Bono Institute

Energize and Celebrate Your Pro Bono Programs During Pro Bono Week This October

October 2, 2024

By Alyssa Saunders, Director, Corporate Pro Bono Pro Bono Week is the perfect time to infuse energy and inspiration into your pro bono efforts. The National Celebration of Pro Bono, held every October since 2009, encourages lawyers and legal staff to participate in and celebrate the delivery of pro bono legal services. Pro Bono Week is also an excellent opportunity for law firms and legal departments to reflect annually on their commitment to serving underrepresented communities, by taking stock of pro bono programs, reinvigorating ongoing efforts, launching new signature projects or collaborations, and engaging new volunteers. Why Pro Bono Week

Reimagining Legal Services: How Texas is Tackling the Access to Justice Crisis

September 26, 2024

Sarah Lahlou-Amine, Director, Law Firm Pro Bono Project® In a groundbreaking move aimed at addressing the widening gap in access to legal services, the Supreme Court of Texas has recently taken steps toward licensing paraprofessionals and court-access assistants to provide legal services to low-income individuals. This development marks a significant shift in the traditional legal landscape and builds on a growing movement to expand access to justice through the use of nonlawyer legal service providers. The Access to Justice Gap The “access to justice gap” refers to the disparity between the need for legal services and the ability of individuals

Beyond the Classroom: The Future of Academic Freedom in Florida

September 23, 2024

PBI Signatory Showcase Interview with Ballard Spahr Ballard Spahr attorneys Jason Leckerman, Chair of the firm’s Litigation Department and Jacqueline Mabatah, Associate in the firm’s Litigation Group, shed light on their pivotal role in challenging Florida’s controversial Stop W.O.K.E. Act through the high-stakes case of Pernell v. Lamb. Ballard Spahr’s team discusses their strategic approach to defending academic freedom and combating censorship in education. They delve into the legal and ethical implications of the act, highlighting their commitment to pro bono work and the broader impact on democratic values. This insightful dialogue reveals the complexities of their legal battle and

Exposing Discrimination in “Crime-Free” and “Nuisance” Housing Programs: A Call to Action for Pro Bono Lawyers

September 19, 2024

Erin Palmer, Associate Director, Corporate Pro Bono Across the United States, so-called “crime-free” and “nuisance” housing ordinances are being challenged for their discriminatory impacts. These policies, while supposedly intended to enhance safety, often disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including people of color, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence. Recent legal developments, including a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, issued on August 15, caution that such housing programs may violate federal laws and undermine civil rights protections. Proactive legal advocacy is crucial, and lawyers play a key role in fighting these injustices and ensuring fair

AI Ethics in Law: Emerging Considerations for Pro Bono Work and Access to Justice

August 29, 2024

Erin Palmer, Associate Director, Corporate Pro Bono Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing, prompting a critical dialogue about its regulation and innovation within the legal field. State bar associations and courts are increasingly scrutinizing the use of generative AI tools, striving to balance technology’s transformative potential with the need to safeguard the integrity of legal practice. This regulatory landscape is particularly pertinent as AI promises to enhance the work of pro bono lawyers and revolutionize access to justice for underserved communities. Understanding how regulatory efforts intersect with innovative applications of AI in pro bono legal services sheds light on the

The Power of Training: The Importance of Educating Lawyers on AI Tools to Successfully Scale Pro Bono Efforts

August 28, 2024

PBI Intern, Riley Kelly Background: Advancements in artificial intelligence technology have the potential to revolutionize legal practice and, in turn, improve pro bono services. With legal service organizations being forced to turn away around 50 percent of potential clients who qualify for pro bono services due to a lack of capacity, pro bono services by lawyers and law firms are vital to narrowing the access to justice gap. AI allows lawyers to significantly increase their efficiency when completing basic tasks such as reviewing documents and drafting letters, accomplishing in minutes what would take humans hours of time. By increasing productivity

Nonprofit Spotlight: Vera Institute Opens Doors to Housing for Returning Citizens

August 19, 2024

by Katie DePalma, PBI Sheehan Scholar Housing instability presents a significant barrier for returning citizens, affecting their ability to reintegrate and contribute to society. To combat this challenge, the Vera Institute of Justice’s Opening Doors initiative focuses on expanding access to safe and affordable housing for returning citizens. By partnering with various stakeholders, including public housing authorities and state legislatures, with support from pro bono lawyers, Opening Doors works to dismantle the barriers that prevent individuals with conviction histories from accessing stable and affordable housing. Vera’s strategic approach enhances opportunities for economic stability and social integration for people with conviction

In-House Counsel in the Community: Advancing Justice Through Pro Bono in Domestic Violence and Immigration Matters

July 29, 2024

PBI Signatory Showcase Interview with Kimball Electronics, Inc.** Organized by the Orange County Public Law Center, Kimball Electronics has been actively involved in the Domestic Violence Assistance Program where they provide vital legal support, assisting clients in obtaining restraining orders to protect them from domestic violence. These efforts are crucial in empowering individuals to secure their safety and that of their loved ones. The department also collaborates with the Indiana Bar Foundation’s Indiana Legal Help walk-in clinics, both in-person and online. Both organizations work to improve legal assistance for people across the state of Indiana. And beyond direct client representation,

Breaking the Cycle: The Power of Pro Bono in Addressing Racial Wealth Disparities Through Heirs’ Property

July 23, 2024

By Riley Kelly, PBI Intern Many families in the United States face heirs’ property issues, where land is passed down without a formal will, leading to unclear ownership and legal challenges. Heirs’ property challenges disproportionately affect communities of color, especially Black families in the South, limiting their ability to build wealth through homeownership. Pro bono attorneys can play an essential role working with legal services organizations to help these families navigate legal complexities, secure their property rights, and contribute to closing the racial wealth gap by preserving generational assets. What is heirs’ property? Heirs’ property refers to land that has

Driving Impact and Engagement: The Business Case for Corporate Volunteerism

July 15, 2024

By Daniela Ramirez-Ledesma, PBI Intern Offering a legal pro bono or corporate volunteerism program not only increases access to justice in our communities, it’s also a smart business decision. The business case for legal pro bono and corporate volunteerism more broadly isn’t new, and recent research continues to show that these programs increase employee engagement, provide an advantage in employee recruitment and retention, and help employees develop leadership potential and thrive. Corporate Pro Bono (CPBO), the global in-house project of Pro Bono Institute, has highlighted the business case for in-house pro bono for over a decade. CPBO’s Guide on The

Author: Kim Kerker